“But this, you didn’t have to do this.”
“They don’t get to do what they did to Julia and not feel my wrath. They don’t get to walk away from trying to kill you.”
“It’s a fearsome thing to fall into the hands of the living God, or into the sights of a pissed-off Rachel Cooper.”
“Langston, and I’m hardly on par with God’s ability to smite. Though at times, I wish I was.”
“That would be a very dangerous thing, babe.” Conrad shivered at the thought. “You have a bit of a temper.”
Rachel had to acknowledge he was right about that. If she had smite-power, she’d probably abuse it. Still, what she’d give to be able to call down lightning bolts for just one day.
The city of Atlanta faded away, and still they rolled on down the highway. Rachel absorbed the change in countryside without really processing what she was seeing. It was pleasant to simply exist in Conrad’s presence, the radio keeping them company as blacktop rolled past.
“We’re here,” he finally announced, pulling up outside a little coffee shop in downtown Macon. Her curiosity piqued, she followed him inside, moseying around the shop while he ordered their drinks.
“Fancy meeting you here.” A familiar voice startled Rachel.
She jumped, turning to stare for a moment at a man in a baseball cap and sunglasses that matched her own. Recognition dawned. Her face lit up, and she threw her arms around him in a gesture that surprised them both.
“Brian! What are you doing here?”
“I got a phone call that said you needed a friend, so I came. It’s good to see you in one piece.”
“It’s good to be in one piece.” She impulsively hugged him again. “Though at times, I wonder if I actually am still in one piece. This whole thing is nuts.”
“I would imagine it’s very different to have your own life mixed into the story. How’s your sister?”
“She’s okay. She’s someplace safe, and the people there are working wonders, helping her heal. I mean, physically, she’s well on her way, but when I left her, there were still nightmares. She still jumped if she didn’t know you were in the room. Some of it will just take a while, you know?”
He nodded in understanding. “And your mom?”
“Handling everything better than I thought she would.”
“Good. Good. The station was pretty quiet about your reason for leaving. We’ve gotten a few emails asking where you are, but they’ve been dodging a real answer.”
“Only a few, huh?” Rachel half-pretended to pout.
“A few hundred,” he conceded. “Maybe more. But then, we also got quite a few emails saying they sure wished I could have done the Springsteen interview.”
“Now that’s a lie. I rocked that interview, and you know it.”
“Okay, it is a lie, but it was worth a shot,” Brian admitted.
“Here’s your coffee, chère,” Conrad interrupted, handing Rachel a to-go cup and freeing a hand so he could greet Brian. “Thanks for coming. Care to join us for a walk?”
“I just can’t get over how good it is to see you,” Rachel reiterated as they stepped back out into the muggy day. “It’s weird, though, seeing someone from my former world.”
“Former?” Brian prompted.
Rachel nodded with a small shrug. “It kind of looks that way. So I promise: the next Springsteen interview is yours.”
“So, your sister gets kidnapped and you have to walk away from everything as a result? I’m not sure I understand that.”
“Brian, I don’t expect you to. I barely understand it myself. I don’t think many people understand how bad this thing has gotten. At least I had somewhere for Julia to go – most girls wind up in juvenile detention centers to protect them from the men who trafficked them. These guys aren’t bluffing when they tell their victims that escaping means a brutal death for them and everyone they love.”
As they strolled down the street headed for the park, Rachel filled her colleague in on all that had happened since the night Julia was lured away from her house. She told him about the attempt on Conrad’s life, about the network of operatives fighting human trafficking while the world at large seemed completely unaware. She told him about catalogues and Chatspace and how gangs and syndicates ran pipelines of people through cities and towns.
“I’m struggling to believe this is real. You know I’m as active as you are, fighting these social justice kind of causes. But who could believe any of this is real?”
“Would pictures help?” Conrad asked, producing a flash drive from his pocket.
Brian looked at him incredulously. “You have pictures?”
“Some video too, but the audio was a little muffled. Rachel tends to drum her fingers when she’s nervous, and the recorder was implanted in her wedding bands.”
“What have you gotten yourself in to?” Brian stopped walking to stare at her.
“Brian, I don’t have anyone I trust with this story. People will take you seriously. If you break the story, maybe they’ll believe it. Maybe they’ll do something.”
“You’re giving me the story?”
“Call it atonement for swiping the interview with Springsteen.” She laughed nervously and continued walking.
Brian moved to keep pace with her. “What happens to you?” Conrad ambled along behind them, giving the pair space to talk.
“Honestly?” She spared him a quick glance before looking away. “If we get out of this thing alive, I don’t know for sure what’s next. We’ll disappear somewhere and start a life, if we’re lucky.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.”
“These guys scare me, Brian. You know I’ve been in some tight spots before, but these traffickers, they’re a whole new brand of evil. Someone has to stop them.”
Brian licked his lower lip and furrowed his brow, a gesture Rachel recognized well. He was mulling her words over, weighing his next words carefully. “Okay. Let’s say I talk to Jacob about running the piece; what angle are you going with?”
“There’s an operative we’re working with who holds appeal. I can’t give away his identity, but his story is a good one. I’d like to see if he’s willing to share it.”
Brian began shaking his head before she even finished her sentence. “No. No good. I mean, I’m sure his story is inspiring, but you don’t get it, do you?”
“What don’t I get?” It was her turn to stop walking so he’d be sure to catch her scowl.
Brian met her gaze with amusement. “You don’t get how much people love you. We haven’t gotten hundreds of emails, Rachel. We’ve gotten thousands. The station has a damn mutiny on its hands. The public is sure they’re covering up some sort of scandal, and they’re demanding an explanation. If we run your story – your sister’s story – and we have video of you taking down the men that hurt her, I think it’ll go viral.”
“You’re nuts.” She laughed outright. “People think I’m like a little terrier, yapping at all the big bad dogs of the world.”
It was Brian’s turn to laugh. “While I can appreciate the illustration, that’s not exactly how the world sees you. You have this amazing exuberance that is infectious. And when you smile, you have a way of making everyone in the room, or on the other side of the television screen, feel like it’s just you and them. People adore you, Rachel. If you leave journalism, you will be sorely missed.”
“Um, wow. I’m not sure what to say about that.” Rachel’s voice was soft; she was humbled and stunned by his words.
“I thought her crush on Stewart was all I had to worry about,” Conrad teased, reminding them both he was still there. “Now it looks like I have another concern.”
“No concern here,” Brian played along, throwing his hands up in a show of innocence. “I’m a happily married man.”
Conrad cracked a smile.
“I can’t believe you just said that.” Rachel popped Conrad on the arm. “You jerk.”
“Wait, you have a crush on
Stewart?” Brian turned to Rachel, amusement dancing in his eyes.
“I do not,” she defended, her cheeks heating up under the scrutiny.
“I am so telling him.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” she gasped.
“It’s not like you’ll be around to stop me.”
“You’re so mean. Under that sweet façade, you’re hiding pure orneriness.”
“True,” he admitted before turning serious. “Rachel, be careful with this thing, okay?”
“I will. There are others doing work much more dangerous than mine. Seriously, Brian, you won’t believe what some of these people are risking to save our kids – to stop the traffickers.”
“Keep feeding me pieces of the story as it comes. I’ll start working on putting the segment together right away.”
“The flash drive also has a list of resources to point you in the right direction,” Conrad told him. “There are names of people running some of the organizations deepest in the fight. Maps of trade routes — the ones we’re aware of, anyway. There are always new ones popping up. There’s also contact information for the FBI agent who’s running point on this investigation. Oh, and the number for our satellite phone. I’d prefer if you don’t give that out, and only call it from a secure landline.”
Brian nodded, absorbing all he was being told. “Got it. Can you do me a favor, Conrad?”
“I can try.”
“Keep her safe.”
“With my life.” Conrad’s words hung in the air.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
THE WEIGHT OF CONRAD’S WORDS followed Rachel through the rest of the meeting and all the way home. That night, as she lay in her bed, the look on his face as he’d sworn to defend her with his life haunted her dreams. Rachel woke with a start sometime near morning, unable to stop the tears rolling down her face. Pain squeezed her heart so tight, she was certain it would shatter into a million pieces at the very thought of losing Conrad so soon after she’d found her way back into his arms.
She reached out to his side of the bed, finding emptiness. Of course he hadn’t stayed after dropping her off. The chance she was being watched was too great. Every appearance he made increased their odds of getting caught. Not able to reassure herself with his touch, she curled up with the pillow and tried to fill her mind with happy memories of Louisiana sunshine.
Her phone chirped, startling her in the predawn quiet. Since the phone was also part of her cover, no one had the number except the salesman, Conrad, and the rest of the crew. She picked up the phone to read the text: “Wake up and put your makeup on so you look pretty. An emergency business trip just came up.”
Her heart hammered in her chest. She didn’t recognize the number, but odds were it was a disposable phone. She assumed it was Conrad or Rick, but until one of them was standing in her hotel room, she’d be jumpy.
She quickly dressed, applying the makeup just the way Veronica had taught her to. Without knowing exactly what the “business trip” entailed, she put in a pair of the camera contact lenses. They were expensive and only intended for missions, but she’d rather waste a pair than waste an opportunity. Not sure how long her trip would be, Rachel also packed her bags and carefully removed any traces of herself from the room.
By the time there was a tap at the door, the sun was inching its way into the sky. Rachel peeked to see who was on the other side of the peephole, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw Rick standing there in his chauffeur clothes.
“I assume you’re here for my bags?” She stood back for him to enter the room.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m terribly sorry to interrupt you, but the office called with an urgent message. You’re needed back right away.” After delivering his little speech, he followed her into the room, allowing the door to close. His voice lowered considerably as he added, “I’m going to drive you to the airport. From there, you’ll hop a commuter flight over to Arkansas. Your associates will meet you at the airport.”
“What’s happened?” Rachel was afraid to breathe.
“I’ll fill you in on the rest once we’re on the way. We have to move quickly or we’ll miss the flight.” He grabbed the handle of her bag before pausing to look her in the eye. “Everyone’s okay. It’s just a precaution.”
Rachel nodded before squaring her shoulders and leading the way out the door. The walk to the car felt like the longest in the world.
She waited as patiently as possible until they were out of the parking lot and on their way to the airport before asking again. “Is Julia okay?”
“She is. So’s Conrad’s family and your mom,” Rick promised. “You know I keep a close eye on the chat rooms this syndicate uses. I’ve been watching for any hint that they know what we’re up to or that they might have found Julia. I haven’t seen anything conclusive, but there’s been a little bit of chatter about a city mouse and a country mouse.”
“Somehow I didn’t picture these guys as the type to read Aesop’s fables.” Rachel let out a short, wry laugh. The irony of the code name made it all the more perverse. “And how much is a little bit? You’re not soft-footing anything, are you?”
“It really has only been a line or two. It could be nothing.”
“Or they could know you’re watching and they’re baiting the trap,” Rachel surmised.
Rick glanced back at Rachel in the mirror. “Or that.”
“So what’s the plan?”
Rick took a deep breath before plunging ahead, speaking clearly and matter-of-factly. “Veronica is going to split off from you and Conrad at the airport. If you don’t even acknowledge her when you get off the plane, anybody watching won’t think twice about her. They have no idea who she is. She’ll park out of sight somewhere near Neena’s place so she can monitor for Internet or radio activity. If we’re in range, our equipment can pick up the stuff we miss online.”
“Will that tell us if someone really is watching?”
“It’ll give us a better idea, but I think we should move your families to be safe. It’s better to pull them for nothing than leave them and it turn out there really is a threat.”
“Move them where?” Rachel asked.
“I thought maybe the cabin we visited?”
“Yeah, that’s probably where Neena, Charlie, and the kids will head,” Rachel confirmed. “It’ll be a tight fit, but at least they’ll be safe. What about Mom and Julia?”
Rick set his jaw to the side, hesitating for a moment for continuing. “Veronica thinks she’s found a place for your sister, but it’s a hidden location, so no family.”
Rachel’s first instinct was to revolt against the prospect. “How will I know she’s safe?”
“It’s a shelter for battered women. They were full last time we checked, but they just had a resident move out. Veronica trusts Carly, the woman who runs the place, implicitly. Its location is hidden to protect its residents from angry, abusive exes. That makes it an ideal place to hide trafficking victims, until they have more shelters of their own, anyway.”
“Can I even know what part of the country it’s in?” Rachel’s voice sounded small even to her own ears. She wasn’t sure she had much choice at this point.
“She’ll be close. It’s in Atlanta.”
Rachel nodded, frowning as she was lost in thought.
“Veronica has an idea for your mom, but she wants your thoughts. She was hoping the two of you could talk on the plane.” Rick’s voice was gentle.
Rachel nodded again. What could she say? Keeping her family safe was all that mattered at the moment, though she had no idea how she was supposed to do that with them scattered all over the country. “How are we getting everyone out of the house? Is Veronica going to wave her magic wand?”
A grin tugged the corner of Rick’s mouth. “No, sorry. Ron left her magic wand at home. If you and Conrad act naturally enough when you get there, then the hope is the traffickers won’t think too much of your arrival. They probably suspect you’ve been coming and going all along
. Give Veronica some time to assess the situation. If she thinks it’s safe, then I see no reason why the Russells can’t load up their kids and get the hell out of there. It’ll be Julia and Conrad they really want.”
Rachel’s heart hammered at the thought of something happening to her dearest friend. “Has someone called Sheriff Taylor? Should he make sure Neena and her family get out of town okay?”
“He’ll be watching from a distance. If he moves in too close, it would be a definite signal to anyone watching that something’s up, though.”
“If anyone is watching,” Rachel said, more to remind herself than anything. “So how do we get Julia and Mom out?”
“I don’t think they’ll make a move before dark, assuming they don’t realize the jig is up. If that’s the case, and if Veronica does another sweep and it comes up clean, then load them in the car and drive away. She’ll intercept you when she thinks it’s safe and coordinate getting everyone to their new landing spots.” Rick picked up a small GPS device that Rachel hadn’t noticed on the seat next to him. “If it’s not safe or if they make a play for you, then melt into the woods behind the Russell farm. Follow this. One of our contacts in the area will be sure a car is there for you. There will be another GPS in the car that will lead you to your next stop.”
Rachel leaned forward to accept the small black device. “Did you sleep at all last night?”
“When this is all over, I’ll spend a month lounging on the sugar-white beaches of Peter Island, staring at the bright blue Caribbean and pretending things like human trafficking don’t exist,” he promised.
Rachel smiled at the thought. “That sounds heavenly.”
“It’s the only way Ron and I stay sane sometimes,” he admitted. “We’re just about to passenger drop-off. Be careful, and good luck.”
“You too. Take good care of Harmony and Vance.”
“I’ll do my best. They aren’t an easy pair to keep tabs on.”
Rick put the car in park long enough to open the door for Rachel and get her bags from the trunk. He handed her things to the porter at the curb and turned to go. She placed a hand on his arm to stop him.
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